However, a Rex spokeswoman said the cost of using Orange Airport was $15.95 for each arriving and departing passenger and was the highest fee levied across the network.

“If the council is sincere about encouraging air services, it should ask why it has imposed the highest head tax, rather than criticise Rex,” she said.

Rex also blamed Brindabella Airlines’ demise in December last year on the charges and councillors reversed a decision to increase them in March.

The spokeswoman said Rex offered a range of fares, starting at $154 one-way.

“[The $399 fare] would be due to the lower priced fares having already been purchased by other customers, which is not different to any other airlines operating in Australia or for that matter, the world,” she said.

“It is also important to note that the Rex full economy fare accounts for less than 2 per cent of all passengers travelling on the Orange to Sydney route.”